Prime Minister Andy Burnham has opened the door to the possibility of the UK rejoining the European Union, saying his government will consider a range of options for the country’s long-term relationship with Brussels.
Speaking after his first Labour Party conference as prime minister, Burnham said Brexit had “done more harm than good” and argued that Britain could no longer avoid deciding what kind of relationship it wanted with its largest trading partner.
Asked by the BBC whether he wanted Britain to rejoin the EU, Burnham said he wanted to examine all the available options. These could include maintaining the current arrangements, joining a customs union, returning to the EU single market or, as he put it, “going all the way” to full EU membership.
“There are clearly options that need to be considered, and we have to look at what is doable and what would be the pros and cons of each,” Burnham said.
The comments represent a significant shift from Labour’s 2024 election position, which ruled out returning to the single market and customs union, as well as restoring freedom of movement.
Burnham has said he intends to set out the different options around the time of a UK-EU summit expected later this year. He has not proposed an immediate referendum on EU membership, stressing that his focus is on developing a longer-term strategy for Britain’s relationship with Europe.
The prospect of Britain seeking to rejoin the EU has already prompted reactions in Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the possibility of closer ties but warned that the UK could not expect to “pick and choose” elements of EU membership.
Burnham’s comments reopen a debate that has remained politically sensitive since the 2016 Brexit referendum, while placing the future of Britain’s relationship with Europe back at the centre of the political agenda.
